Nova Foundation

There’s the crowds, the disinfectant smell, and the bad coffee. Now we get to add weird dudes with angel complexes. All in all, hospitals are something to avoid.

Alec and I went to the hospital to try to see Graham. Of course, they couldn’t give me any information because I’m not a relative. They did say that Graham was in very serious condition and that he was in surgery. I’m going to have to see if I can track down anyone in his family—I’m sure they’d want to be here, and Graham needs a friendly face to wake up to. Goddamn those bastards at Wired Alchemy.

Remember the guy with ice powers that came to Graham’s rescue when Wired Alchemy sent their ninja-thugs to our HQ? Well, he was at the hospital too somehow. He recognized me and pulled me into the cafeteria for a sit-down. He was playing it all cryptic, didn’t want to even give me his name. He said something about me (Aidan, not Beastlord) being on the most wanted list as a terrorist, but before he could explain himself Alec called to say Dominion was on his way. I don’t know what this new guy’s angle is or who he’s working for, but to his credit he didn’t blink—he came right along to help. And good thing he did.

Dominion, of course, wanted Alec to come quietly back with him to his bosses. He mentioned someone named Chronos (Kronos?)—first time I’ve heard that name. Just like all of the Wired Alchemy experimental subjects, Dominion was quite tough. He regenerates, just like Alec and Melvin. He conjures these globes of energy that apparently have some kind of homing capability, and can also do this weird kind of sonic scream. He’s also very cocky, like he never had any doubt that he would be able to subdue us and take Alec back. What is it with these guys? Melvin, as previously noted, is crazy as a shithouse rat. Dominion seems to actually believe his own marketing—he seems to think he really IS an angel. I’m glad we were able to get Alec out of there before they did a number on his head, too.

So we had a throwdown in the hospital parking lot. Despite his arrogance, Dominion had a tough time facing the three of us. If it had been only two of us, though, it might have gone differently. We finally managed to wear him down, but not before he knocked the new guy unconscious. And of course, not before the cops came. Alec wanted to keep pounding on him, but we don’t need the bad press.

Alec flew us away to this dive hotel that’s run by some guy he knows named Leon. We’ll hole up here for a while. They might not think of looking for us in a place like this. But they do seem to be able to find us when they put their minds to it. It makes me wonder: does Alec have some kind of tracker implanted in his body? Or are they using some kind of spell? It still makes my head spin to think that there just may be real-live magic out there in the world, but best to keep an open mind.

It’s going to be a long night. Gotta get in touch with Graham’s family. That’s most important right now. Our new friend the ice guy will wake up soon. When he does, I hope he’s feeling chatty. There’s a lot going on, and too much at stake to try to be Mr. Black.